Process for reclaiming plastic containers

Abstract

A process for reclaiming plastic containers includes the steps of providing containers having an adhesive composition affixed thereto, sorting the containers, and internally pressurizing the containers. The steps also include adding heated liquid into the containers for liquefying residue within the containers and for loosening an adhesive composition affixed to the containers. The steps further include allowing the containers to depressurize, removing the liquid from the containers, and granulating the containers thereby forming granular masses.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for reclaiming plastic containers, comprising the steps of: (a) Providing used containers or containers which do not pass quality control standards at manufacture having an adhesive composition affixed thereto;   (b) Sorting said containers according to volume;   (c) Removing a tamper resistant ring from said container, if required;   (d) Uncapping said container, if required;   (e) Internally pressurizing said container from about 18 pounds per square inch to about 40 pounds per square inch;   (f) Adding at least one ounce of heated liquid into said container for liquefying residue within said container and for loosening an adhesive composition affixed to said container;   (g) Allowing said container to depressurize;   (h) Removing a base from said container, if required;   (i) Removing a label from said container, if required, by external spraying;   (j) Removing said liquid from said container;   (k) Granulating said container thereby forming granular masses; and   (l) Removing excess liquid from said granular masses.   
     
     
       2. The process of claim 1 wherein said heated liquid is water having a temperature from about 125° F. to about 190° F. 
     
     
       3. The process of claim 2 wherein said water has a temperature from about 180° F. to about 190° F. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 wherein steps 1(c) and 1(d) are performed simultaneously. 
     
     
       5. The process of claim 1 wherein step 1(d) is performed prior to step 1(c). 
     
     
       6. The process of claim 1 further including granulation of said base for reclaiming. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1 further including adding from about one ounce of heated liquid to about the entire internal volume of said container with heated liquid. 
     
     
       8. The process of claim 7 wherein said internal volume is pre-selected. 
     
     
       9. The process of claim 1 wherein said internally pressurizing of said container is from about 18 pounds per square inch to about 40 pounds per square inch of said container. 
     
     
       10. The process of claim 1 wherein said external spraying of said container is from about 300 pounds per square inch to about 1500 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
       11. The process of claim 10 wherein said external spraying is from about 750 pounds per square inch to about 850 pounds per square inch. 
     
     
       12. The process of claim 1 wherein said heated liquid is removed from said container by slicing said container diametrically through about 80 to about 95% of its diameter. 
     
     
       13. The process of claim 12 wherein said slicing occurs about one inch from a bottom of said container. 
     
     
       14. A process for reclaiming plastic containers, comprising the steps of: (a) providing container having an adhesive composition affixed thereto;   (b) sorting said containers;   (c) removing a tamper resistant ring from said container, if required;   (d) uncapping said container, if required;   (e) internally pressurizing said container;   (f) adding heated liquid into said container for liquefying residue within said container and for loosening an adhesive composition affixed to said container;   (g) allowing said container to depressurize;   (h) removing a base from said container, if required;   (i) removing a label from said container, if required, by external spraying;   (j) removing said liquid from said container; and   (k) granulating said container thereby forming granular masses.   
     
     
       15. A process for reclaiming plastic containers, comprising the steps of: (a) providing containers having an adhesive composition affixed thereto;   (b) sorting said containers;   (c) internally pressurizing said container;   (d) adding heated liquid into said container for liquefying residue within said container and for loosening an adhesive composition affixed to said container;   (e) allowing said container to depressurize;   (f) removing said liquid from said container; and   (g) granulating said container thereby forming granular masses.